Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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640. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role he sees for the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors next year and in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40290/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s vision, as outlined in its Statement of Strategy, is to develop an inclusive, learning and innovative society where every person is able to reach their full potential. With a focus on education, training and research, my Department will contribute towards a prosperous, sustainable and vibrant society, ready to meet the challenges of a changing world.

To realise this vision my Department will work to develop skills which meet the needs of stakeholders across the Irish economy and will engage both nationally and internationally with partners to advance research and innovation, in order to position Ireland as a leading international location for researchers, students and post-graduates, and as an advanced knowledge economy. I am pleased that I will also be in a position shortly to announce the name of the new Government Science Advisor.

My Department will also strive to ensure that vulnerable learners, people with disabilities, and people experiencing disadvantage who are engaging in the tertiary system, are able to access the supports they need in order to prosper.

Underpinning all of this, my Department will work to continue the progression of the Further and Higher Education systems, through collaboration with stakeholders in the development of a Unified Tertiary System.

In order to deliver my Department’s mission and vision, my officials have developed a number of key priorities in each of my Department’s six strategic goals, which will provide a framework for my Department’s policy and operational activities over the coming years. These strategic goals are broadly categorised as:

1. Develop Talent

2. Promote Research, Innovation and Science;

3. Support Inclusion;

4. Global Engagement;

5. System Performance and Reform; and

6. Capabilities.